In an era where power often brings a sense of entitlement, the life of Lal Bahadur Shastri, India’s second Prime Minister, stands as a shining example of humility, simplicity, and unwavering integrity. One of the most inspiring anecdotes from his time in office revolves around a modest personal decision: buying a family car. Instead of using his position for convenience or privilege, Shastri chose the path of an ordinary citizen — applying for a bank loan like anyone else.
It was 1964. Shastri had recently assumed the role of Prime Minister following the passing of Jawaharlal Nehru. His family, which had been traveling to school on a tonga (horse-drawn carriage) and occasionally using the official car only for essential purposes, expressed a desire for a personal vehicle. Shastri, known for his principle of not allowing official resources for private use, agreed to look into purchasing a car.
His special assistant, V.S. Venkatraman, made inquiries and found that a new Fiat car would cost around ₹12,000. When Shastri checked the family’s bank balance, it stood at only about ₹7,000. Without hesitation or seeking any special favors, the Prime Minister applied for a personal loan of ₹5,000 from Punjab National Bank (PNB) to bridge the gap.
The loan was sanctioned promptly — on the same day, according to accounts from his son, Anil Shastri. True to his character, Shastri reportedly called the bank officer who processed the application and inquired whether ordinary citizens received the same quick service. He wanted to ensure that no preferential treatment was being given simply because he held high office.
The family acquired a cream-colored 1964 model Fiat (with the registration number DLE 6). Shastri continued to lead a life of simplicity, famously promoting the slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” during the challenging period of the 1965 Indo-Pak war and food shortages.
Tragically, Lal Bahadur Shastri passed away suddenly on January 11, 1966, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, after signing the Tashkent Declaration that helped end the war with Pakistan. At the time of his death, the bank loan had not been fully repaid.
In a remarkable display of honesty and personal responsibility, Shastri’s widow, Lalita Shastri, refused any offers to waive or clear the remaining amount. She insisted on repaying the outstanding loan herself, using the family pension she received after her husband’s demise. This act of integrity ensured that every rupee was returned to the bank, upholding the values her husband had lived by throughout his life.
Today, that same Fiat car is preserved and displayed at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial on Motilal Nehru Marg in New Delhi, serving as a quiet reminder of an era when leaders embodied simplicity and ethical conduct.
Shastri’s story continues to inspire because it highlights a rare quality in public life: treating personal obligations with the same accountability expected of common citizens. In a world often skeptical of political integrity, this tale of a Prime Minister taking — and ensuring the repayment of — a small bank loan for a family car remains a powerful lesson in true honesty and humility.
It reminds us that greatness does not lie in wealth or privilege, but in the strength of character and the courage to live by one’s principles, no matter the position one holds.
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